Part-time season tickets for part-time workers: what do you think?

[RowanMumsnet]

There's been some noise recently about the possibility of rail companies selling part-time season tickets to people who work, er, part-time. At the moment, season tickets cost the same amount whether they are used three, four or five working days a week, meaning that those who work part-time pay more per commuting journey than their full-time counterparts.

The arguments for part-time season tickets are summarised in this blog post by the Campaign for Better Transport, but here's a quick run-down:

women are more likely to work part-time than men are, so some have argued that this is a matter of gender equality;
a part-time worker in the south-east would save an estimated £700-£1400 per year on the cost of commuting into London (other cities are available );
cheaper journeys for part-time commuters would make it easier for parents to work flexibly, including (if it suits them) from home;
more people working flexibly, including from home, would help to ease congestion on overcrowded rush-hour commuter routes.

We'd be interested to hear whether you all think this sounds like a sensible proposal, or whether you think that part-time workers need to take the rough with the smooth.

Do please use this thread to tell us what you think. (And if you feel strongly that you like the idea and would like to support the Campaign for Better Transport's campaign on it, have a look at this link.)

Thanks
MNHQ

[TheDoctrineOfSnatch]

Wow, really? I don't break even on a weekly before 3.5 days ie seven journeys.

[zipzap]

Another vote for a carnet system, especially if they could last for a year if you were to say buy 40 at once (and that would be cheaper than buying a set of 10 just like a monthly pass is cheaper than a weekly pass).

I can see that the train companies might be a bit worried that this would be too successful though - most commuter trains are already stuffed to the gills, if you get a load of people who only work 2 or 3 days a week using the train once the price isn't prohibitive due to the way it currently favours full time workers then they are going to potentially have to find more peak time capacity which they are already struggling with.

[MsAspreyDiamonds]

I commute 4 days into London & a part time season ticket would be really helpful. Currently I pay 220 per month plus my childminders fee, I am left with hardly any money at the end of the.month.

[Vinomum]

Brilliant idea which would definitely have my backing. I pay £20 per day to get into London 3 days per week which is not that much less than I used to pay when I worked full-time and got a season ticket. Current system is totally unfair and needs changing.